An Important Piece of the Past
The Harbor Master’s House prior to VanVleck renovation. Photo: Unknown. Published in an article written by Ailene W. Hutchins. “Calvert County, Then and Now.” Calvert Independent, 30 Dec. 1971.
The Harbor Master’s House was originally built in 1670 as a port of entry and used for the collection of taxes. Little is known of the early days of the house, as the official land and tax records were twice lost by fire, once by accident in 1700 and again at the hands of the British during the War of 1812.
The north half of the building is made of post and beam construction and still sits in its original location. The south half of the building was a commercial structure moved and attached to the house in the Nineteenth Century. It has a similar appearance, but supports a shallower grade roof on the west side. Through the years this addition was used as a store, a warehouse, and the post office.
Even though the building saw years of disuse, in the early 1970’s the house was restored by Perry VanVleck, a developer from Silver Spring. Since the VanVleck restoration, the Harbor Master’s House has served as a private residence and remains so to this day.
Perry VanVleck stands in front of the the renovated Harbor Master’s House.
Photo: William L. Kleneder. Published in an article by Helen Henry. “Old Houses Moved to Live Again.” The Sun Magazine, Feb. 9, 1975, p. 26.
A group of Lower Marlboro residents gather on the steps of the Harbor Master’s House the day Elsie Cox closed the Post Office doors for the final time. Photo by Walter Oates. Published in an article by John Sherwood. “Dead-Letter Day, Lower (Huh?) Marlboro Dies.” Evening Star, Nov. 6, 1965, A-24.